The problem of bed bug infestations in camps is growing across the country. Typically, these pests are inadvertently brought to the camp from an infested home, concealed in a camper’s clothing or luggage. Once introduced, bed bugs can quickly spread throughout the camp and may even be carried back to other homes by different campers. This issue is far from trivial; bed bugs are notoriously challenging to eliminate, and an infestation can seriously harm the camp’s reputation.
Bed bug infestations in camps often go undetected for weeks or even months after the pests are initially introduced, making it challenging to pinpoint their origin. Therefore, camps must prioritize planning, prevention, early detection, and swift treatment as the most crucial measures to address this issue effectively.
How can camps plan for and prevent bed bugs?
- Make the camp less hospitable for bed bugs. Before the start of camp season, it’s important to check and mend sleeping quarters. Seal any gaps with caulk, swap out or encase mattresses, and replace worn furniture with items made of metal or plastic. These steps will facilitate the detection of bed bugs and prevent their proliferation.
- Prevent campers from bringing bed bugs to camp. Consider creating a “Packing for Prevention” guide to include with the general camp enrollment materials. This guide can help deter campers from bringing bed bugs into the facilities.
- Stay alert for indications of a bed bug infestation. Educate all camp staff on how to recognize signs of a bed bug infestation. These signs may include bites on campers, visible bugs in the facility, or blood spots on bedding. Utilize passive bed bug monitors. Affordable sticky traps or interceptors can serve as an early alert to the presence of bed bugs in an area.
- Quickly address any indications of an infestation. Addressing a bed bug infestation early makes it easier to control. Coordinate with a skilled pest management professional and adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy to identify and treat any infestations that arise.
What should camps do if bed bugs are found in your facility?
- The camp director should reach out to their pest management company or local health department for help in identifying the specimens. Confirming that the insects found are indeed bed bugs is crucial before taking further action.
- If the specimen is verified to be a bed bug, then a thorough inspection should be conducted of the entire cabin, tent, or room, including any adjacent rooms or sleeping areas.
- If an infestation is discovered in a sleeping area, all machine-washable items such as bedding, clothing, and towels belonging to the campers should be dried in a machine for 30 minutes at the highest recommended heat setting. Afterwards, these items should be sealed in plastic zippered bags. Following the treatment of their belongings, the affected campers should be relocated to a different, uninfested sleeping area.
- There is no need to prevent affected campers from participating in camp activities. Bed bugs infest locations, not individuals, and there is no scientific proof that bed bugs transmit diseases.
- Before the affected campers return home, the camp director or nurse should notify the parents or guardians about their child’s exposure or potential exposure to bed bugs. They should also provide educational materials to the families, such as those available at http://www.michigan.gov/bedbugs.
- The camp director should continuously oversee pest management in collaboration with a licensed pest management professional, adhering to an Integrated Pest Management plan. Areas that were previously infested should remain unused until a pest management professional certifies them as bed bug free.
This information was made available by the Michigan Bed Bug Working Group. For additional information & resources, see:
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